Life Lessons from Dog

Kari Solberg
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  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Join Kari Solberg, a dedicated dog trainer with over 12 years of experience and a deep passion for the life lessons our dogs can teach us. Each episode dives into Kari's journey--from fostering rescue dogs to owning a boarding, training, and daycare facility--and explores the profound connections between the lessons we learn from our dogs and the way we navigate our lives. Through heartfelt stories, practical insights, and transformative moments, Kari invites you to reflect on patience, trust, resilience, and the courage to step into the unknown.

  1. In the Ring and Out of Body: When Obedience Breaks Down Under Pressure

    16/10/2025

    In the Ring and Out of Body: When Obedience Breaks Down Under Pressure

    They trained the patterns. They practiced the skills. But the moment they entered the ring… it was like the dog disappeared. If you’ve ever experienced this — or watched it happen — you’re not alone. And there’s a reason behind it. In this episode, I’m reflecting on my return to the sport of obedience with Eden and Bachelor, and what it’s revealed about the overlap between performance and behavior. Because the more I work with dogs across both worlds, the more I see it: Obedience and behavior are not the same thing. And if you try to use obedience to fix behavior, it almost always falls apart. But when you bring behavior work into obedience? That’s where things start to shift. We’ll talk about high-drive sport dogs who crumble under pressure, the myths around “ruining” drive, and how teaching dogs to regulate, recover, and stay in their bodies is the key to making performance sustainable — and real. And I’ll share a bit about my own life off the training field, too… including the moment I realized I needed to return to therapy for the same reason I teach dogs to self-soothe: because without regulation, nothing sticks. Tone: Grounded, personal, quietly powerful For: Sport handlers, pet parents, and anyone trying to hold it together under pressure CTA: If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review — it helps more than you know. 🎧 Listen and subscribe: https://pod.link/1792032288 🌐 Learn more at karisolbergcanine.com 📸 Follow on Instagram: @karisolbergcanine

    12 min
  2. Mini-Sode : Joy in the Waiting

    09/10/2025 · BONUS

    Mini-Sode : Joy in the Waiting

    Some seasons ask for planning. Others ask for presence. And sometimes—like now—they ask for both. In this real-time minisode, Kari shares what it feels like to be in that in-between space: full of to-dos, anticipation, and reminders to slow down long enough to feel the joy that’s already here. It’s a quiet reflection on timing, trust, and learning to stay grounded when life feels like it’s speeding up. Because joy isn’t waiting on the other side of the checklist—it’s found in the pause, in the breath, and in the moment you choose to come back to yourself. ✨ If this episode resonates, please share it, leave a review, or tag Kari on Instagram — @lifelessonsfromdog or @sunmtnmalamutes. Every share helps new listeners find the show and keeps these stories reaching more dog-loving hearts. 🎧 Listen and subscribe: https://pod.link/1792032288🌐 More at karisolbergcanine.com/lifelessonsfromdog

    4 min
  3. The Slow Way In: How Roo Taught Me to Let Go of the Plan

    02/10/2025

    The Slow Way In: How Roo Taught Me to Let Go of the Plan

    Sometimes, the only way forward… is slower than you planned. In this first episode of a multi-part arc, I share the story of Roo — a highly trained dog whose emotional intensity required something deeper than obedience. What began as a standard board and train quickly turned into a lesson in presence, patience, and trust. You’ll hear how Roo’s shutdown at drop-off forced me to throw out the plan entirely. How a bath, a muzzle, and a late-night moment shifted everything. And how the tiniest gesture — a paw on my arm — became the start of something bigger. This episode isn’t just about a dog who needed something different. It’s about what happens when we stop measuring progress in reps and start noticing the moments that land — the ones that build connection, even in stillness. 🎧 Tone: Quiet, layered, intuitive 🔗 Let me know what questions you have about Roo — we’ve only just scratched the surface. Subscribe anywhere you listen → https://pod.link/1792032288 Visit my website → karisolberg.com Follow on IG → @karisolbergcanine

    15 min
  4. Say Yes : What Happens When You Let The Universe Lead

    18/09/2025

    Say Yes : What Happens When You Let The Universe Lead

    Before the business, before the podcast, before any of this… I was a cake decorator. I didn’t plan to change my life. But one foster dog shifted everything. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how I went from frosting cakes to full-time dog training — following the thread of instinct, alignment, and a quiet knowing that just wouldn’t let go. From forming my first LLC to buying a property I wasn’t sure I was ready for, this one’s about engaging the universe before you’re certain… and building the kind of life that only makes sense in hindsight. If you’ve ever felt the pull to do something different — and weren’t sure if it was “allowed” — this one’s for you. 💬 If something in this one resonates, I’d love to hear from you. 🔗 Subscribe or share the show: https://pod.link/1792032288 📍 Learn more or connect with me: www.karisolbergcanine.com 📱 Follow along on Instagram: @karisolbergcanine Life Lessons from Dog is a podcast about the deeper truths our dogs teach us — on leash and in life.

    15 min
  5. A Dog for a Season — Remembering Bailey

    04/09/2025

    A Dog for a Season — Remembering Bailey

    Some dogs aren’t meant to stay with us forever. But they show up exactly when we need them. This episode is a story about one of those dogs — my first dog in adulthood, Bailey. She came into my life during a season of recovery, brought light into a hard chapter, and then, when the time was right… she chose someone else. My dad. I’m sharing this now because while he was visiting this summer, the memory of her came back — not through stories or conversation, but through presence. Through being near the man who became her person, and realizing how deeply that story still lives in me. This one is personal. It’s tender. It’s about healing, letting go, and how sometimes love means helping someone start… and then stepping aside when they’ve found where they belong. 💬 If this story resonates, I’d love to hear it. 🔗 Subscribe or share the show: https://pod.link/1792032288 📍 Learn more or connect with me: www.karisolbergcanine.com 📱 Follow along on Instagram: @karisolbergcanine Life Lessons from Dog is a podcast about the deeper truths our dogs teach us—on leash and in life.

    14 min
  6. Season Shifts: A Catch-Up from the Other Side of July

    21/08/2025

    Season Shifts: A Catch-Up from the Other Side of July

    A full July, a little chaos, and a lot of clarity. In this check-in episode, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit — sharing where I’ve been, what I’ve been building behind the scenes, and how this podcast is evolving right alongside me. From hosting my dad for the month, to weathering a windstorm (and a sprinkler flood) at my first-ever booth setup, to joining the teaching staff at a legacy training facility… this summer has been full. Not in a bad way — just in a way that made space for some big shifts. And one gentle nudge from a client-friend reminded me: people notice when you go quiet. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to come back. This one’s a little more personal. A little behind-the-scenes. A little messy and honest in the best way. 💬 If something in this one resonates, I’d love to hear from you. 🔗 Subscribe or share the show: https://pod.link/1792032288 📍 Learn more or connect with me: www.karisolbergcanine.com 📱 Follow along on Instagram: @karisolbergcanine Life Lessons from Dog is a podcast about the deeper truths our dogs teach us—on leash and in life.

    12 min
  7. Let Them Be Weird : Celebrating the Quirks That Connect Us

    10/07/2025

    Let Them Be Weird : Celebrating the Quirks That Connect Us

    Some dogs heel like pros. Others add a little spin, a little sass, or a perfectly timed “woo” for dramatic effect. This episode is a celebration of the weird ones—the quirky behaviors, the joyful chaos, the little things our dogs do that make us laugh, soften, and stay present. From Eden’s extra flair in obedience class to a viral Boxer recall that stole the show, we’re diving into the beauty of imperfection and the gift of authenticity. Because whether it’s a puppy who flops instead of sits or a crate nap that looks like a crime scene, these oddball moments are often the ones that connect us most deeply—to our dogs and to each other. So here’s your reminder: let them be weird. Let yourself be weird. Because the best lessons aren’t always tidy—and the most joyful ones rarely are.Some dogs heel like pros. Others add a little spin, a little sass, or a perfectly timed “woo” for dramatic effect. This episode is a celebration of the weird ones—the quirky behaviors, the joyful chaos, the little things our dogs do that make us laugh, soften, and stay present. From Eden’s extra flair in obedience class to a viral Boxer recall that stole the show, we’re diving into the beauty of imperfection and the gift of authenticity. Because whether it’s a puppy who flops instead of sits or a crate nap that looks like a crime scene, these oddball moments are often the ones that connect us most deeply—to our dogs and to each other. So here’s your reminder: let them be weird. Let yourself be weird. Because the best lessons aren’t always tidy—and the most joyful ones rarely are.

    12 min
  8. The Blame Game : What Gets Missed When We Point Fingers

    04/07/2025

    The Blame Game : What Gets Missed When We Point Fingers

    “Your dog’s just feeding off your energy.” It’s a phrase we hear all the time. But what if blaming the handler is more deflection than diagnosis? In this episode, we’re digging into the moments when well-meaning advice turns into unhelpful blame—and how that narrative can actually get in the way of real progress. You’ll hear the story of Ollie, a reactive dog whose human was told she wasn’t doing enough—until a new approach shifted everything. We’ll explore what can happen when we stop pointing fingers and start creating clarity, and why real success is about more than just corrections and control. Because sometimes, it’s not about trying harder. It’s about finding a system that actually works—for both ends of the leash. — Want more? Join Kari on Substack at lifelessonsfromdog.substack.com or follow along on TikTok and Blue Sky @lifelessonsfromdog. New episodes drop weekly—subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

    13 min
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About

Join Kari Solberg, a dedicated dog trainer with over 12 years of experience and a deep passion for the life lessons our dogs can teach us. Each episode dives into Kari's journey--from fostering rescue dogs to owning a boarding, training, and daycare facility--and explores the profound connections between the lessons we learn from our dogs and the way we navigate our lives. Through heartfelt stories, practical insights, and transformative moments, Kari invites you to reflect on patience, trust, resilience, and the courage to step into the unknown.

Information

  • Creator
    Kari Solberg
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kari Solberg
  • Show Website
    Life Lessons from Dog